Grass might not be always greener - livery yards?

[cheekywelshie]

I'm on a small private yard - been there a few years - no lights but plenty of riding + small XC course and school for hire. I'm a livery of one. Stables are temp but new ones are built though the price will double when they are in use. I've asked about possibility of other liveries but not sure there will be any for a good while for a number of reasons.

I have a friend at another yard it is a big one, fairly laissez faire approach - there is someone who comes to do services but you have your own paddock.Stables basic but hacking good and there is a school.

I'm missing company but thinking the grass might not be greener - my horse is happy where I am but I do miss company (and lights in winter!)

Any thoughts on private v large yards?

 

[gemisastar]

Truly depends on the people that are there really. I was on a big yard and found myself walking on eggshells a lot depending on what mood YO was in, she could be quite horrendous, and there was a fair amount of bitching going on. In general though I had some good friends there and enjoyed the company. There were really good facilities and turnout and a lot going on but the hacking was rubbish which grated on me. Left there due to moving house and went somewhere where I was more or less on my own and really missed the company of others, and am now on a lovely small yard with a great group of like minded girls, we all look out for each other - also fab hacking, small school and amazing turnout.

 

[kc921]

I had the option of moving to a V large yard 3 schools, there was near on 40 horses there. I can honestly say I am so glad I stayed on a private yard, although the company is lacking its better than being overcrowded! My friend is currently at this Large yard and she says she can barely ever get in the sandschools and its actually very bitchy down there! If you and your horse are happy I would say don't move, like you said the grass isn't always greener on the other side

 

[cheekywelshie]

I do feel lonely quite a lot as I am on my own unless I take him out in the trailer or pick people up to see me (I think moreso now most people I knew at the yard next door have moved plus I moved jobs and I work on my own a lot). I don't turn out overnight as none of the YO horses are out. think there is a booking system for the school at the other place. There is a good school where I am you can hire it out but I do worry about it after I have ridden in it because he churns it up and this has been noted. The hacking at the other place is apparently really good. Some people have been there over 20 years.

 

[TPO]

100% private

I've been where you with the alone thing. I kept my ponies at my grandad's farm on my own (although for about a year I had a friend who'd pick me up so I could go to PC with her) and having raised myself on Saddle Club books I needed at least 2 friends and an on site instructor!

Later I ended up renting stables and grazing at a farm close to home once I moved. When a space on a "proper" yard came up with a school and other people I jumped at the chance. I was 22 at the time and full of enthusiasm at all these new friends I'd make and people I'd have to hack and school with. Yeah...that's not quite how yards work apparently!

It didnt take long until I scurried back to my old run down stable block and 10 acres with peace perfect peace!

I was on my own with 3 horses and with hindsight it's the happiest I've been with horses.

Due to losing horses, moving house, needing company when I was down to 1 horse I ended up back on yards. I think I was back on livery from 2009 until last year.

I dont even know where to begin with some of the horror stories. It took me until 2017 to learn that you cant save/help them all so just dont look (& I hated being that person). I am BEYOND lucky that my parents bought a place last year so at the grand old age of 36 I'm finally back on my own (well almost, mum is there too) and it was like a physical weight being lifted.

I didnt have transport when I was alone but you have the best of both worlds. Join a RC, box to friends yards to hack but know you've always got your peaceful slice of horsey heaven to go back to!

 

[SEL]

Interesting thread for me. My yard is closing and my main option - which I'm really hoping works out - is a private yard.

 

[cheekywelshie]

An update! A space has come up on the DIY yard and my friend could come. Potentially she could move to where I am but i have asked a lot and still nothing happening she won't hand her notice in without assurance and price list etc which is fair enough... my situation has changed too as now new job - i will be away a lot travelling several days a month so need to make sure there is good reliable FL when needed.

.I did a pros and cons but am still not sure. Gut feeling to stay but then it might be a while before anything happens if it ever does...!

Pros of current yard : canter track so can ride on farm, xC course good school, quiet, direct access to bridleway, horse happy in herd. No yard politics, well in terms of liveries as there are none! Cheap. Good range of assisted livery and full at cheap prices. Reliable. Horse happy in herd.

Cons: at the minute I am the only livery so mine needs to go out when theirs do. I pay for school but it is not much. Fencing is poorly maintained. There are no lights only solar atm. Prices may go up but better stables. No one lives on site. I am only livery so dependent on friend next door to hack with or need to box up elsewhere. No tack storage though this not major issue.

Other place Pros: vet on site. You manage how you like. Good hacking. Lights. Very cheap. Lot of people to potentially ride with. Assisted is available.

Cons No yard manager so if yard politics could get messy. Large yard. DiY.No idea how reliable services are though my friend who is there has used her for several years. No canter track or xc course. School is average not as good as current one.

 

[Goldenstar]

Stay where you are .

 

[awelshandawarmblood]

I'd stay put by the sounds of that.

 

[PapaverFollis]

A large DIY yard with no yard manager? Stay where you are! Trust me!

 

[cheekywelshie]

Friend has been there years and no problems ..... I am just fed up of being on my own and not being able to turn out when I need ...and no lights in winter

 

[Nativelover]

I’ve not read all of the replies but this is my experience.

The best yard I’ve been on was a former dairy farm that had diversified. Own paddocks and storage area, arena (no lights) and good hacking.
Purely DIY, but another livery did paid work to pay for her horse.
Farmer was great, anything needing mending/building was done by his labourers. Everyone got along.

The worst yards I’ve been on have been around where I moved to years ago. A mix of crazy YO’s who were moody/aggressive/violent it was a constant battle against changing rules, false accusations, changing fields, feed and bedding being stolen, etc etc

It actually puts me off getting another even though I’d dearly love one as the stress of it all, especially when I was asked to leave a yard after 3 days as another livery really liked me but didn’t like my horse!!)

So after all that I’d just advise you stay put unless you are absolutely certain that the new yard will improve you and your horses life. I understand the loneliness but can you box to your friends yard to ride out?? I did this many times and it was great.
Good luck op but think very carefully, I think that if you’re asking on a forum then it’s probably not the right thing to move.

 

[Nativelover]

Friend has been there years and no problems ..... I am just fed up of being on my own and not being able to turn out when I need ...and no lights in winter

Sorry just read this, the turnout thing would drive me crazy, I’m changing my mind and I’d be inclined to move!!

 

[dogatemysalad]

Poorly maintained fencing, along with no one living on site, would prompt me to move within 24 hours. The memory of seeing 6 dead or dying horses in the road on a dark stormy night because of poor fencing, is something that I will never forget.

 

[Roasted Chestnuts]

I moved from a small yard (10) to a larger one as my friends are there, the facilities are excellent and to get away from a horrible YM.

This larger yard (30) has no YM just a YO who lets you get on with it unless you are being an idiot to others. It’s the only time he will get involved. It’s DIY and even though I don’t like big yards I feel comfy here as I don’t have someone trying to micro manage my horse for me, I get to do my own thing within the rules and enjoy my horse again.

Big yards aren’t always bad

 

[DD]

Friend has been there years and no problems ..... I am just fed up of being on my own and not being able to turn out when I need ...and no lights in winter

sounds to me that a move might be the best idea here in this situation.

 

[cheekywelshie]

It's a big decision esp with job changing. I would miss the canter track and xc but not the poor fencing! A farmer owns the land and just leaves people to manage, he lives there

 

[Littlebear]

I would move, i hate drama that goes with big livery yards but absolutely love the company and social side of having a horse, i wouldn't enjoy horses so much without that. I am on a yard now that sounds like the second one you describe, there is the odd bust up with people but on the whole its a nice atmosphere and there are always people to hack with and even to sit and have a chat with while you muck out and what not.
A house came up in my budget recently with enough land and facilities for my 2 but as much as it would be nice i would be very lonely and bored so didn't bother. One lady i teach at a yard near me has her own land and stables and still keeps hers at a livery yard so that she has people to ride with. I think for alot of people thats a big part of horse owning. You can easily stay away from drama (usually) x

 

[myheartinahoofbeat]

I have been on two livery yards that both had about 12 horses. On one I barely spoke to anyone and on the other there was lots of chat and socialising. It really depends on the people.

 

[cheekywelshie]

I spent all night thinking about it (not good as I have to present a t a conference today! )
My friend has now decided she prefers the cheaper yard as mine is not much less than where she is now. We move we can have our horses together other to ride with, it will be cheaper, farmer on site and vets. Hacking much better, school on site is ok ish.
So what's stopping me.
I am concerned whether moving is right because going on holiday and then new job starting at same time and don't want to be worried about the livery service - i.e it isn't on the yard it is freelance...how the freelance groom is getting on..as I won't know her when i need him on livery. I've had friends say they will keep an eye on him but don't want to be worried during my holiday.
What the liveries will be like (yes I know after grumbling about peace and quiet now I am thinking about yard politics!)
Giving up the canter track and small XC course - I do like jumping and this enables me to keep him ticking over - I wonder if this has kept his fitness levels up?I would miss the course.
Agh! Honestly I am so indecisive but it is a big move. I also have a Phd in worrying! I need to let them know by this weekend.

 

[be positive]

You keep saying it is cheaper and that seems to be a major consideration so I would just double check the true costs before deciding, is the freelancer/ hay/ bedding etc going to add up to less in real terms or is it likely to cost more when you actually get there.
I would prefer someone on site, having a vet there would be neither here nor there really unless the place has a lot of accidents!

 

[cheekywelshie]

£ was originally a consideration but now start new job less so - more reliable services.
Another thing I realised...the large track we have and mini xc course - I use this a lot. I need some onsite riding for when I will have to ride on my own maybe first thing in the morning - and don't have much time. The good thing about where I am is I can ride round the track and over the XC in 40 minutes and turn out quickly and be done.
Agh!
Need to prioritise.

 

[TPO]

Since you've already done a Pro vs Con list for the yards and don't have a definite answer what about doing pro vs con lists for other scenarios?

What yard would be best if:

If you were to get a bad dose of flu and be laid up for 2wks
If you had to go away with work
If you had a last minute emergency and couldn't get there (car trouble)
If something happened to your horse would it be spotted sooner at current or new yard and who would handle it better
If horse had to go on box rest

Is it possible to view the new yard again? Sometimes you spot or feel things on the second viewing that might have been missed in the excitement or a first visit.

Things I've been caught out by before (despite asking at the first viewing about them)/learnt from:
Field maintenance (poo picking, resting/rotating grazing, water supply/trough cleaning, fencing)
How tidy is yard muck heap (sign of a well run yard if neat)
Rat/mice problem
Adequate storage space for feed bins, tack and equipment
Space to dry rugs in winter
How often is the school harrowed/rolled
Available poles/jumps if required
Mud (and how muddy does it get in winter)
Quality of hay if supplied by yard
How easy is it to get in the school? Do you mind riding with others? What happens if you want to book a lesson?
Will farrier/trimmer/physio/vet etc travel to new yard

 

[Goldenstar]

You do need prioritise .
Horses like settled turnout that’s why mine are all so chilled .
The thought of being on a yard with no manager and everyone doing their own thing brings me out in hives .

 

[cheekywelshie]

The farmer who lives on site harrow the fields and someone was levelling the school when I was there. You can turn out 24/7 and that is selling it for me as he was out all yesterday
..too hot ..and miserable at being in overnight. The horses had also broken the fencing....held up by Baler twine...and gone in the next field apart from mine who couldnt be bothered to jump the fence!

There hasn't been anyone in the school when I have been but you can book it I think. It is sand though. Farrier travels there anyway. Paddock you look after, it is divided in two.

 

[Vodkagirly]

I think that is a great list